Caravaggio Returns Top Turnover At Tattersalls Foal Sale

Caravaggio was crowned the top first crop sire of the Tattersalls Foal Sale, after his 19 foals sold for a total of 1,927,000gns. His turnover was also second overall in the stallion table, standing higher than established sires such as Kodiac and Showcasing.

The Marnane family are well-versed in precocious speed and sold Caravaggio’s highest priced foal of the week, as their homebred colt was knocked down to Abbeylands Farm for 250,000gns. The April-born grey is a half-brother to Listed winner and Group 1 performer Forever In Dreams, out of a half-sister to champion sprinter Marchand D’Or.

Speaking after the sale, Amy Marnane said, “I'm absolutely delighted. He's a belter of a horse. Caravaggio was a super racehorse and this colt came here with a good update after Forever In Dreams ran third at Ascot - he is a fine foal and it was the plan to sell him while the update was so recent.”

Franny and Niamh Woods of Abbeylands Farm were not satisfied with just one son of Caravaggio, going to 155,000gns to secure Norelands Stud’s colt out of the Galileo mare Solar Event. Shrewd pinhookers Yeomanstown Stud gave the same price for a Caravaggio half-brother to Group performer Wall Of Fire, while Jamie B Bloodstock signed for a Caravaggio brother to the Listed-placed Savaanah at 160,000gns.

Peter and Ross Doyle, Camas Park Stud, Glenvale Stud, Manister House Stud and Margaret O’Toole were also among Caravaggio’s buyers list and contributed to an impressive average price of 101,421gns. The son of Scat Daddy had made an impressive start at Goffs a week prior, where ten returned an average price of €90,700 and sold for up to €240,000.

It marks a fine return for breeders, given that Caravaggio began his stallion career at a fee of €35,000.